I've been meaning to write this article for some time now. My wife got me into trail running years ago, but it has been this group that has continued to keep my trail fire burning.
Three or four years ago our local Fleet Feet Nashville store asked me if I would be interested in facilitating a trail running group. I was like "Yea! I'm out there anyway and I love being around other trail runners and hanging out with them." It was a no brainier for me. The first year and a half was a bit interesting. I never knew who, if anyone was going to show up; and the group was never really very large. But the two things we did have was that we loved running on the trails and we loved to encourage each other and with those two things our group began to grow.
The group truly began to grow about 3 years ago as several folks could be counted on to show up every week. This group has become the 'heart of the Dirtbag'. I'm so blessed to be a part of a group of individuals that are so giving of their time and resources to help others enjoy trail running. The Dirtbag Trail Run Club has started volunteering to help our local race director John Hardin of Hardwin Adventures with flagging, trail clearing, trail maintenance and packet pickup a couple of years ago. They have started traveling at their own expense, sometimes, to crew and pace others in their various races.
They have gone on adventure runs with others just because someone didn't want to go by themselves. They've attempted the SCAR and gone with friends to run the Firery Gizzard Trial, a trail Tracy City, TN. Some of them have done the Wonderland Trail together.
Their truly favorite thing to do is to meet up on a Thursday night at Percy Warner Park, the Deep Wells entrance at 6pm and go for a run together. Talking as they run about the latest job hangups or getting over the last injury or the best is the next race; not everyone races, nor does everyone want to race. After the run everyone heads out to grab some beer and food at Corner Pub In The Woods where some can only stay for a little while while others have been known to close the place down.
Now a days the group has grown to a steady 20 folks with about 15 or so going for food afterwards and they now meet two days a week, just to get dirty and share life together. If you're ever in Nashville on a Tuesday or Thursday come join us we'd love to have you. The facebook group page is https://www.facebook.com/fleetfeetdirtbags/ join us and follow along with our crazy adventures.
Tuesdays 6pm Edwin Warner Park, overflow gravel parking lot
Thursdays 6pm Percy Warner Park, Deep Wells entrance, first pavilion on the right
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